I really enjoy the racing genre. Since November, I've gotten NFSU2 and Burnout 3. Both are a LOT of fun, but are unique in their own ways.

NFSU is probably one of the most well known games I've ever seen. Everyone I talk to has the original, and even those who aren't gamers know its name. The original was a hit, and 2 has an incredible anticipation. Is it worth the hype? Peronsally, I'll say it was. The customization is even better, a new physics engine adds a new and better feel to racing, and racing modes are all fun. This game is a lot of fun... if you take out the exploration. Exploring was probably one of the worst ideas they could have put in this game. It was cool at first, but it quickly got long, tedious, and boring. I actually liked the previous title's linear setup rather than a long, drawn out open-ended type. Aside from that, my only other gripe is the Outrun system. It seems highly unpolished, but its a promising start.

The other game is Burnout 3. Honestly, what's more fun than destroying the competition, and actually being rewarded for it? I was really impressed by this game. The racing is flawless, graphics are excellent, and the controls are so easy to pick up, even an 8 year old could learn how to play this within minutes. I really enjoyed Crash mode, too. There's nothing more addictive than making the biggest mess of rubber and steel possible. I couldn't pull myself from this game. My only aggravations were that I often you thought that you could crash too easily sometimes, and some of the racing didn't belong (1-on-1, time trial, etc.) Also, there's no customizing whatsoever. Just a set of three lame paints (usually red, black, blue, and/or white) Otherwise, it's just excellent.

Which do I think is best? Well, I can't really say. NFSU2 has better overall presentation, but Burnout 3 is more addictive. I can't choose...

YEAH!!! Delayed response...

Wow, I've got so much to look forward to right now! First of all, the Red Sox have made it to the World Series, and won Game 1! Trust me, the Cards are a very tough team, and they didn't roll over yesterday, but the Sox have what it takes to win. Also, the three games I want are coming out VERY soon. R&C is only 9 days away, Jak 3 is only 16, and NFSU 2 in 22! It seems like so long though... Anyways, I'll be getting my hands on all of them as soon as possible, and start writing some reviews!

The Yankees have won the World Series 26 times, last in 1999. The Red Sox have one 3, the last time in 1918. Now, the two teams are in their final game right at this very moment that I'm typing, and we're winning 6 to zip!

WE SHALL CONQUER!!!

DOWN WITH THE YANKEES!!!

Jak 3 and Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal are just around the corner, just about four weeks from shipping. There's been a lot of hype in the gaming world about each of them, and I don't know who'll be better. Neither seemed to be advertised much to the public, both claim to be making strides to an already innovative series, and the two are in such a close race for sales it makes me wonder: which will come out on top?

I own the demos to both games, and I've played through both of them. I have to say that I'm impressed by both. As far as technology. Both make some updates to sound and graphics, which I liked, and the whole feel of the games is just better. However, one makes a better jump than the other, I think. That's Jak 3.

Ratchet and Clank has always been relatively the same for gameplay. Number 3 feels no different. You get weapons, upgrade them, and shoot the crap out of enemies. Sound familiar? Of course, because it's the same thing! I didn't care that much for R&C3 because it felt so much the same. There were few updates to gameplay, but not much. Yeah, there are a new set of weapons and gadgets, the upgrade system is different, and you have different enemies. Still though, there is little to break up what I've seen. It's still all relentless combat.

Jak 3 seems to become different than it's prequel. No more are the tight streets and hovercrafts of Jak 2, perhaps it's biggest fault, and we now have an open wasteland with fast and fun dune buggies, with endless possibilities. The wasteland is literally 5 times bigger than Haven City, and you can basically make a beeline across the whole thing. Not only that is different, but you now have new weapons and Light Jak powers. This sets a balance and adds to the already solid gameplay. What do I like? VARIETY. Jak 3 delivers in that category, and I don't Ratchet and Clank does as well there.

My first entry. I type better than I write, actually. Maybe that hand eye coordination comes in handy for my gaming. Thinking about games (which this whole thing is about!), I've been looking forward to an upcoming crop of game sequels. All to the three I own now: Jak 2, Ratchet and Clank 2, and Need For Speed Underground. Coincidentally, all are coming out in November. It seems like it'll be a big month for new releases, with the sequels along with games such as Halo 2 coming out. Actually, I don't really play M-rated games, since I'm really not allowed to (curse parental supervision!)... Anyways, the one I heard about first was Need for Speed Underground 2. I just had a blast with the first one, and I still love it to this day. The car customization system just blows me away. I'll just sometimes sit there creating the ultimate street rocket, trying new combinations of body kits and vinyls. I never got the same vehicle twice. Literally. As far as racing, that was excellent too. The sense of speed was amazing! I got an adreniline rush every time I hit high speed in an Extreme upgraded car. The courses were really challenging, and I loved the system of style points. However, the games major fault was its linear layout. The races, the system of rewards, and so on. The tracks were all just combinations of old segmants, and reversed, too. Merely 40 km of track in the game. However, after taking a look at previews for 2, it looks like it'll relieve this problem. Apparently, there's more open-ended exploration, more car models, and more track. Almost 200km of track, too! It looks like it'll be a serious upgrade to the original, which I already love.

The last two I heard about were Jak 3 and Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal. First, R&C3. I've always enjoyed the Ratchet and Clank series. I trialed the first, but bought the second. Overall, I enjoyed it a lot, since I love platformer games with action thrown in. Things like Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy hold my interest temporarily, but no more than a month. However, Ratchet and Clank held my interest much longer than J&D 1. The weaons were really cool, and it focused more around overcoming obstacles and mauling sometimes endless hordes of enemies with innovative weapons. Traditional platforming was still involved, but not so much as J&D 1. When I got number two, I was satisfied enough where I rated it about 8.5. The whole game was restructured, the RPG elements were cool, and the new aresenal of weapons was just wicked. However, the graphics and sound were techincally the same, and not much as far as gameplay was changed. It felt more like an upgrade somtimes than an actual new game. Nonetheless, it was an innovative game was almost the top tier in the platformer genre. As number three comes around under 2 months away, everything is most likely just about finished. Everything looks great, such as a whole new line of weapon, new system of upgrades, updated graphics (though I thought they couldn't go much further!), and a whole new host of things, including a possibly more in-depth storyline. Also, online play is introduced, which I give Insomniac credit for. It's taking a step into unknown ground, and seeing how they can incorporate popular online play into the already near-perfect formula. However, this doesn't really apply to me, since I don't have Playstation Online, nor the funds to get it. I'm basically broke, my parents won't give me money, and I don't have a job. Dont' worry, I'm only 14, not an adult living with their parents. Anyways, I just hope number 3 will be sort of just an update, and focused all on internet play. The previews look cool, but show more of what I've seen. More variety would be appreciated. Sure, there's enough updates to make fans of the series water in the mouth, and internet play is a daring step, but updates don't always do it, and internet play could be a trial and error thing. The date of release is merely a year later, not very long after number 2 came out. Trust me, I expect great things from this game, and possibly that it may be the perfect platformer. I'll buy it the moment it comes out. However, I hope it manages to complete all that it aims for, which is for the sky. The sky isn't easy to reach, but I believe that Insomniac has the resources and drive to do it.

The final game is Jak 3, which I am REALLY looking forward too. The original, Jak and Daxter: The Precurso Legacy, was called the Mario 64 of PS2, due to the fact that it took traditional platforming action to a new high. It had a good execution of power-up use, great graphics for its time, and a set of fun minigames. However, it was generic in most ways to an extreme that made me bored beyond name. When I saw number 2, I was just shocked. Titled Jak 2 and dropping Daxter from the name, it changed to game so much, I was shocked. Instead of the light-hearted, generic item-collecting romp, it was a dark, revenge driven tale that was a fusion of many different game styles. All these came together well to create, what I thought, was the best platformer game for PS2 yet. It took steps that few made, and basically made a whole new formula. After seeing Jak 3, I am anticipating it more than any game ever. The cutscenes are spectacular, the gameplay formula incredibly well varied, and the story looks like it will tie up all loose ends from the first two. Now, I'm thinking that the first two games merely set the stage for this final one. Everything coming together, I just think Jak 3 will be one hell of a game at release.